Advanced Drawing & Painting 2011-2012 Syllabus

Advanced Drawing & Painting is a visual arts course that focuses on “fine-tuning” skills, techniques and aesthetics of drawing and painting. As with ALL visual arts courses, the study of Drawing and Painting is a discipline that includes creating art, understanding art history, and critiquing both one’s own work and the works of others.

Essential Question:

How does learning about two-dimensional artists and a variety of drawing and painting styles and methods influence your work and your view of the world?

Content Standards

These are statements that describe what students should know or be able to do in Advanced Drawing & Painting by the end of the semester:

Art History
• Understand and develop an appreciation for a variety of artistic approaches and styles.
• Experience a variety of other work to inform artistic decisions.
• Respond to and analyze techniques and styles from artists of different time periods and cultures.

Technical Skills: demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
• Explain and demonstrate quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of two-dimensional art media and techniques.

Creative Problem-Solving Skills: demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
• Describe and demonstrate knowledge of visual composition.
• Identify and use the Elements of Design (line, shape, form, value, color, texture, space).
• Identify and use the Principles of Design (rhythm, pattern, movement, unity, balance, emphasis).
• Use knowledge of color to enhance and create an expressive works of art.
• Demonstrate and describe how to solve visual and conceptual problems creatively and with clarity of idea.

Reasoning/Thinking Skills:
• Develop goals for the semester in terms of creative and technical skills. These may include areas to improve upon or areas you would like to learn more about.
• Record and document evidence of learning and progress throughout the semester.
• Become proficient at discussing and explaining work, using correct vocabulary in oral and written critiques.

Process Standards (Work Habits)

The following are skills students will develop to enhance the process of learning.
Students will:
1. Use time wisely and productively.
2. Attend class on a regular basis.
3. Come to class on time, prepared, with necessary materials.
4. Keep a sketchbook, documenting progress/improvement throughout the year.
5. Show responsible care of materials and contribute to clean-up duties in the classroom.
6. Provide constructive (thoughtful & specific) criticism when discussing artwork.
7. Participate in small group discussions and work effectively with others.
8. Maintain a positive attitude and put forth their best possible effort.

Cell phones and ipods are prohibited during class; some exceptions apply.

Materials

Pencils and any other favorite drawing pen - Bring to class on a daily basis
Sketchbook(9x12) – this will be provided for you unless you have a favorite type of sketchbook you prefer to use.

Grades / Evaluation

All assignments/projects are based on meeting the standards or essential learning for the course and are graded on a 4 point scale. 4 is at the top , 1 is at the bottom. Specific criteria and rubrics are given to students for all major assignments, so they are clear how to be successful. When entered into the on-line grade book, the 4 point system is “translated” into the following 100 point scale:

Exceptional, Extraordinary Work (when merited) 4++=100Exceeds the Standard 4=973.5=94Meets the Standard 3=902.5=87Approaching the Standard 2=831.5=79Does Not Meet the Standard 1=76

This translation scale is borrowed and adapted from Robert Marzano, author of several educational text books.

Each assignment will receive a Work Habits grade, based solely on the timeliness of project completion.Assignments passed in on time (at the beginning of class) will receive a grade of 100.Assignments passed in after the due date and up to two days after the due date will receive a grade of 90 .Assignments passed in more than two days late and up to one week after the due date will receive a grade of 70.Assignments passed in more than one week late and up to two weeks after the due date will receive a grade of 50.Assignments passed in more than two weeks late will receive a grade of 0.

Communication with the teacher is essential.

Your final grade will reflect your demonstration and growth in meeting the Content Standards. Each area may be weighted differently.

Make-up Policy
If you are sick and not in school the day an assignment is due, it is due the first day you return to school. Remember it is your responsibility to make arrangements with me, concerning what you missed when you were not in school. Under extraordinary circumstances, please contact me asap, so that together, we can make a plan to get caught up and turn in or modify missing wor